Method and apparatus for a beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned through external means or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No.12/156,776, which was filed May 27, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to product dispensing equipment and, moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods and an apparatusfor providing modular components in a beverage dispensing tower.

2. Description of the Related Art

Product dispensers in the beverage dispensing industry typically arehard plumbed, and have a life expectancy of approximately seven years.However, the product side of the product dispensing market changesrapidly, as food product manufacturers continuously create productsaimed to capture a particular group of customers. Illustratively,beverage dispensing trends have moved from predominantly carbonatedbeverages to non-carbonated beverages in both conditioned andunconditioned forms, including waters, flavored waters, teas, juices,and the like. As such, retail account owners often find themselves witha product dispenser that is incapable of delivering newly popularproducts.

Problems arise when retail account owners desire to change their productavailability. If the product dispenser is minimally upgradeable, it maynot accommodate the newly desired product list. While multiple towerunits provide some flexibility to remove and replace a portion of theproduct dispenser, the balance of the housing is typically hard plumbed,and there is no means for delivering ambient products. The problems arecompounded when the beverage dispenser must be removed from a dispensinglocation to be retrofit, thereby forcing the establishment to lose salesand customers while the product dispenser is being retrofit.

Accordingly, a product dispenser that is reconfigurable in the fieldwould be beneficial to product dispenser owners, product consumers, aswell as product dispenser manufacturers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a product dispenser includesthe ability to be reconfigured in the field. The product dispenserincludes a housing, at least one tower unit, and an ambient box that isremovable. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispensepoint, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent orproduct source to the dispense point. The ambient box is areconfigurable insulated product path that is adaptable to at least oneexternal source. The at least one external source may be conditionedthrough external means or may be an ambient temperature product. Theproduct circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product toany tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within asame product dispenser.

The product dispenser further includes a storage chamber having aredirector for keeping the product from being scooped out of a rearportion of the storage chamber. The product dispenser further includes arotating lid on an inlet of the storage chamber, and a conversion to asliding lid having a valve cutout switch, thereby disabling the productvalves when the sliding lid is in an open position. The productdispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removablewithout disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising onthe tower structure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a productdispenser including an ambient box that is reconfigurable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a productredirector disposed within the storage chamber of the product dispenser.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide amethod of merchandising on the tower structure.

Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light ofthe following. Also, it should be understood that the scope of thisinvention is intended to be broad, and any combination of any subset ofthe features, elements, or steps described herein is part of theintended scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according tothe preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 b provides a partially exploded view of the product dispenseraccording to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 c provides details views of the tower units according to thepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 d provides an exploded view of a tower structure according to thepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 a provides an exploded view of the lower unit according to thepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 b provides a perspective view of the lower unit wherein theoutlets of the product lines are disposed in a bank according to thepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 c provides a perspective view of the lower unit wherein theoutlets are disposed in arrays according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 2 d provides a perspective view of a tower unit with acomplementary array layout according to the alternative embodiment.

FIG. 2 e provides a perspective view of a top plate including a rotatinglid according to a second alternative embodiment.

FIG. 2 f provides a perspective view of a top plate including a slidinglid assembly according to a third alternative embodiment.

FIG. 2 g provides an exploded view of the lower unit including anambient box according to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 h provides a perspective view of a lifting tang according to analternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is further to be understood that the figures are notnecessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to showdetails of particular components or steps.

In a simplest embodiment, a product dispenser 100 includes housing 101having a lower unit 110, at least two dispensing tower units, and atower structure 125. The product dispenser 100 utilizes at least oneproduct circuit 201 to dispense products, beverages, soups, teas, andthe like. The product dispenser 100 may further include a second productcircuit 202, and a diluent circuit 103 for mixing with concentrates. Inthis specific example, the product dispenser 100 is capable ofdelivering a reconstituted product, carbonated water, and uncarbonatedwater in both conditioned and unconditioned forms. As shown in FIGS. 1a-1 d, the product dispenser 100 includes a first tower unit 121, asecond tower unit 122, a third tower unit 123, the tower structure 125,the lower unit 110, dispensing valves, a drip tray, and a cup rest. Inthis first embodiment, the product dispenser 100 is a drop-in productdispenser, wherein the product dispenser 100 hangs from a counter at apoint of use. The product dispenser 100 further includes a storagechamber 126 and a fluid conditioning system for chilling diluents andconcentrates for consumption. The storage chamber 126 and theconditioning system are disposed beneath the counter. The tower units121-123 are disposed above the counter, and support at least onedispense point 105 utilized for regulating the flows of products, mixingthe diluent with the products, and delivering a reconstituted or asingle-strength product.

The first tower unit 121 is similar in form and function to a firsttower unit disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801125 filedon May 8, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The firsttower unit 121 includes at least one product line 130 disposed within afirst tower shell 128, as shown in FIG. 1 c. The first tower shell 128is filled with an insulation 129 to insulate the product line 130, andto provide support to all product lines 130 disposed within the shell128. The product line 130 includes an inlet 131 that mates with anoutlet 174 of a first lower product circuit 203 of the lower unit 110,and an outlet 132 that mates with an inlet 106 of the dispense point105, thereby extending the first lower product circuit 203 to thedispense point 105. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe tower units 121-123 may include multiple product lines 130 for thedelivery of additional products. In this specific example, the firsttower unit 121 further includes at least one diluent line 163 having aninlet 164 and an outlet 165, wherein the inlet 164 couples with a firstoutlet 172 of the diluent circuit 103 of the lower unit 110, and theoutlet 165 couples with a diluent inlet 104 of the dispense point 105.

The shell 128 further includes at least one mounting flange 221 disposedon a side nearest a front of the product dispenser 100. The mountingflange 221 includes apertures 223 at a spacing complementary torestraint apertures 224 disposed in a top plate 112 of the lower unit110. If the tower unit is disposed on an end of the row of tower units,a second mounting flange 222 is utilized. The second mounting flange 222includes an aperture 223 in alignment with a restraint aperture 224disposed in the top plate 112. The shell 128 further includes a rearflange 225 disposed opposite of the mounting flange 221. The flanges221, 222, and 225 extend outward from the shell 128. In this particularexample, the shell 128 is formed from sheet metal, and is of a gagesuitable for structural restraint.

The second tower unit 122 is substantially identical to the first towerunit 121, and includes a second product line 260, and a second diluentline 259. The second product line 260 includes an inlet 263 and anoutlet 264, and the second diluent line includes an inlet 261 and anoutlet 262. In this particular example, the inlet 263 of the secondproduct line 260 mates with an outlet of a second lower product circuit204, and the outlet 264 mates with an inlet 106 of the dispense point105. The inlet 261 of the second diluent line 259 mates with a secondoutlet 180 of the diluent circuit 103. While the first and second towerunits 121-122 have been shown as being substantially identical in thisembodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thefirst tower unit 121 and the second tower unit 122 may include adifferent number of product lines 130 and diluent lines 163, as well asa different number of dispense points 105, a different arrangement ofproduct lines, and the like, dependent upon site specific requirementsand customer preferences.

The second tower unit 122 further includes a second shell 258, whereinthe second shell 258 is filled with insulation, in similar fashion tothe first tower unit 121.

The third tower unit 123 is similar in form and function to the firstand second tower units 121-122, and includes a shell 267 housing a firstambient product line 250, a second ambient product line 251, and aninsulation disposed between the shell 267 and the ambient product lines250-251. The first ambient product line 250 includes an inlet 252 and anoutlet 253, and the second ambient product line 251 includes an inlet254 and an outlet 255. The shell 267 further includes a mounting flange221 including restraint apertures 223, and a rear flange 225. The shell267 further includes securing apertures 234 for connection to adjacenttower units. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thethird tower unit 123 may include multiple product lines disposed invarying arrangements for mating with outlets of the lower unit 110.

The product dispenser 100 further includes a back support bracket 124 toprovide additional support to the tower units 121-123. The back supportbracket 124 includes a planar portion 227, perpendicular legs 228disposed at each end, and flanges 229 extending from the legs 228. Theflanges 229 further include apertures 230 for securing the back supportbracket 124 in place. In this particular example, the legs 228 aredisposed at a spacing complementary to the width of the tower units121-123 when disposed adjacent to each other, such that the legs 228captivate the tower units 121-123, and the apertures 230 are alignedwith the apertures 223 of the second mounting flanges 222.

The tower structure 125 includes a first vertical support 147, a secondvertical support 148, a crossbar 149, an outer skin 150, and a cap 151.As shown in FIG. 1 d, the first and second vertical supports 147-148 aresubstantially symmetrical, and therefore only one will be described. Thevertical supports 147-148 may be formed from any material havingsufficient strength and rigidity. In this particular example, the firstand second vertical supports 147-148 are formed from steel sheets.Alternatively, the vertical supports 147-148 may be formed fromstainless steel, or a resin. The first vertical support 147 is planar inshape and includes first through fourth flanges 185-188 for stiffness.The first flange 185 includes apertures 189 to aid in securing thevertical support 147 to the lower unit 110, and the fourth flange 188includes apertures 190 for receiving fasteners that secure the outerskin 150 to the first and second vertical supports 147-148. The crossbar149 is disposed between the first and second vertical supports 147-148to provide support between the vertical supports 147-148. The crossbar149 is formed from a steel, and is rigidly secured to the first andsecond vertical supports 147-148 utilizing fasteners or welding. Thecrossbar 149 includes a cross-section having increased inertialproperties, such as a channel or other extrusion.

The outer skin 150 is formed from a stainless steel sheet, and includesa planar surface 153, a first side panel 154, and a second side panel155. The planar surface 153 is of a size complementary to the distancebetween the outer surfaces of the vertical supports 148-149, such thatthe side panels 154-155 extend around the first and second verticalsupports 148-149 when the outer skin 150 is installed, thereby closingout a rear portion of the product dispenser 100. In this particularexample, the first side panel 154 includes a flange 183 disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the first side panel 154, and the secondside panel 155 includes a flange 182 disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the second side panel 155. The flanges 182-183 furtherinclude apertures 184 for securing the outer skin 150 to the verticalsupports 147-148. The cap 151 is similarly formed from stainless steelsheet, and includes a planar section 195 and first through fourthflanges 196-199 extending in a same direction. The first flange 196 andthe third flange 198 include apertures 194 for securing the cap 151 tothe vertical supports 147-148. The planar section 195 is of a sizecomplementary to an area disposed between the first and second verticalsupports 147-148, and secures to the vertical supports 147-148 withfasteners, thereby closing out a topmost portion of the tower structure125.

The lower unit 110 comprises a cold plate 107, a bin 111 disposed on thecold plate 107, the top plate 112, and an insulated wrapper 114. Thecold plate 107 is of the type commonly utilized in the beveragedispensing industry, whereby product and diluent circuits pass throughthe cold plate 107 for conditioning. In this specific example thediluent line 141 and the first and second product lines 142 and 175extend from a front of the cold plate 107, make multiple passes throughthe cold plate 107, and then exit the cold plate 107 through a rearface. The product and diluent lines 141-142 and 175 then extend upward,such that the outlets 172, 174, 180, and 242 pass through a product lineaperture 143 of the top plate 112. In this particular example, outletsfor the product and diluent lines 141, 142, and 175 are disposed in afirst bank 176, as shown in FIG. 2 b. The first bank 176 of outlets issubstantially evenly spaced, and includes a gap 178 in the sequence. Thegap 178 is substantially central to the product line aperture 143. Theproduct and diluent lines 141, 142, 175 may further include hardwaresuitable for connection to mating components disposed within the towerunits 121-123, as well as those required for connection to a diluentsource and an appropriate number of concentrate sources. The cold plate107 may further include an upper surface 108 upon which ice is stored,thereby chilling the cold plate 107 and the product and diluent lines141,142, and 175 passing through the cold plate 107.

Alternatively, the product and diluent line outlets 172, 174, 180, and242 may be disposed in arrays complementary to a respective tower unit.In the arrays arrangement, the lower unit 110 could include multiplebanks of product line outlets disposed in multiple arrays. As shown inFIG. 2 c, the product dispenser 100 includes a first bank 176 and asecond bank 177. The first and second banks are then divided intoarrays. A first array 280 includes a portion of the first bank 176 and aportion of the second bank 177, a second array 281 includes a portion ofthe first bank 176 and a portion of the second bank 177, and a centralarray 282 includes a portion of the first bank 176. With the centralarray 282 having only a first bank 176, a gap 179 is created in thesecond bank 177. While the central array 282 has been shown with onlyone bank of outlets 172 or 174, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the use of an array with only one bank is not limited tothe central array 282, as any of the tower units could still contain afull complement of product circuits, or could include a partial set ofproduct lines to complement the partial array disposed on the lower unit110. Still further, the gap 179 for the second bank 177 may be disposedover a single array, multiple arrays, or the entire second bank 177 maybe removed to provide the ability to add additional product sources.

In this particular example having three arrays, the arrangement of theoutlets disposed in the first array 280 is not restricted, as bothproduct and diluent lines may be disposed in either the first or secondbanks 176-177. Similarly, the outlets disposed in the second array 281may also be placed in either bank 176 or 177. In the central array 282,the third diluent outlet 181 must be disposed in the first bank 176 tomaintain clearance for an ambient box 169.

In the arrays arrangement, as shown in FIG. 2 d, a first tower unit 121product line 130 and diluent line 163 are disposed in a first bank 176and a second bank 177, whereby the inlets 131 and 164 are disposed in alocation complementary to the outlets of the first array 280 of thelower unit 110. The product and diluent lines 130 and 163 furtherinclude outlets 132 and 165 for mating with the dispense point 105. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that product and diluentlines 130 and 163 are disposed in a location that allows the first andsecond lower product circuits 203-204, and the diluent circuit 103 ofthe lower unit 110 to be extended when a tower unit is installed ontothe lower unit 110. Should an array 280-282 include fewer outlets than amating tower unit, the unconnected product and diluent lines in thetower unit are available for use if connected to a product or diluentsupply.

In this specific example of a product dispenser including arrays, thesecond tower unit 122 is of a similar construction to the first towerunit 121, whereby the product and diluent lines may be disposed ineither bank.

The third tower unit 123 must include diluent and product lines inlocations complementary to the outlets disposed in the central array282. Illustratively, in this specific example, the third tower unit 123includes a diluent product line disposed in the first bank 176 and atleast one ambient product line 250 or 251 disposed in the second bank177. Accordingly, the third tower unit 123 receives diluent from thediluent source.

The bin 111 includes four lateral walls disposed at a spacingcomplementary to the upper surface 108 of the cold plate 107. The wallsextend from the cold plate 107 to the top plate 112, thereby forming astorage chamber 126 having a lower port 117 and an inlet 118. The bin111 may be of any suitable construction, such that it does notcontaminate a product disposed within the storage chamber 126. In thisfirst embodiment, the bin 111 is constructed from a stainless steel. Thebin 111 further includes a redirector 115 disposed over approximatelyhalf of the inlet 118 nearest to the rear face of the cold plate, suchthat the redirector 115 closes out a rear portion of the inlet 118. Inthis embodiment the redirector 115 is of a same construction as the bin111, and may be secured utilizing any suitable form of attachment,including welding, fasteners, and the like. The bin 111 further includesflanges having apertures, wherein fasteners pass through the aperturesand secure the bin 111 to the cold plate 107.

The top plate 112 is substantially planar in form, and is of a sizeslightly larger than a cross-section of the bin 111. The top plate 112includes a chamber port 116 of a size complementary to the open portionof the inlet 118 of the bin 111, and at least one product line aperture143 that allows the passage of the concentrate and diluent lines throughthe top plate 112. The top plate 112 further includes restraintapertures 127 for receiving fasteners. The top plate 112 may be securedto the bin utilizing any method, including fasteners, welding, or thelike.

The lower unit 110 further includes a lid 120 and a lid housing 119. Thelid housing 119 includes a planar face 160 and first through thirdflanges 157-159. The first through third flanges 157-159 are attached tomounting flanges having apertures 285 for securing to the top plate 112.The first through third flanges 157-159 create a cavity 145 beneath thelid housing 113 when the lid housing 113 is installed onto the top plate112. A fourth flange 156 extends downward from the planar face 160 tocreate a stop, and includes a valve cutout switch 134. In thisembodiment, the lid housing 119 is formed from stainless steel, and issecured to the top plate 112 with fasteners passing through therestraint aperture 127 of the top plate 112. The lid 120 is of a sizecomplementary to the cavity 145 of the lid housing 119 and the chamberport 116. The lid 120 is substantially planar in shape, and includes aplanar face 161 and a flange 162 extending away from the bin 111 forengaging the valve cutout switch 134.

Alternatively, the product dispenser 100 may include a rotating lid 136having a hinge pin 138 disposed in hinge brackets 137. The rotating lid136 is of similar construction to the sliding lid 120, however therotating lid 136 includes a flange disposed around the hinge pin 138,whereby the lid 136 rotates about the hinge pin 138. The hinge brackets137 are similarly formed from sheet metal, and include an aperture of asize complementary to the hinge pin 138. The hinge brackets 137 aresecured with fasteners to the restraint apertures 127 of the top plate112 in similar fashion to the sliding lid 120. Accordingly, the slidinglid 120 and the rotating lid 136 are, with accompanying hardware,interchangeable.

The lower unit 110 includes an insulated wrapper 114 disposed around thebin 111 and the cold plate 107. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that a sheet metal wrapper may be formed and then any voidsbetween the bin 111 and the wrapper 114 may be filled with an expandingfoam, thereby insulating the product and diluent circuits 201, 202, and103, as well as securing the product and diluent lines of the lowerproduct circuits 203, 204, and 103 in place. The lower unit 110 furtherincludes an ambient cutout 168. The ambient cutout 168 is a recessedarea in the wrapper 114, and a complementary gap in the insulation thatallows passage of product lines disposed within an ambient box 169 topass from outside of the wrapper 114, and through the product lineaperture 143 of the top plate 112. Accordingly, product is deliveredfrom an alternate source to the top plate 112. In this particularexample, the ambient cutout 168 extends from the top plate 112 downwardthrough the lower unit 110, and passes through a central portion of thefirst bank 176.

The ambient box 169 includes at least one ambient product line 207, anambient wrapper 209 disposed about the at least one ambient product line207, and an insulation 208 disposed between the at least one ambientproduct line 207 and the ambient wrapper 209. The ambient wrapper 209further includes securing flanges 170 disposed at an uppermost position,such that the upper end of the ambient box 169 may be secured to thetower units 121-122. The securing flanges 170 include apertures forreceiving fasteners. The securing flanges 170 may be directedhorizontally or vertically to adapt to adjacent hardware. The at leastone ambient product line 207 includes an inlet 210 and an outlet 211that extend beyond the ambient wrapper 209, and include connectionscomplementary to the inlets of the to the tower units 121-123, or otherconnection forms, including barb fittings, dole fittings, o-ringconnections, and the like. The inlet 210 is suitable for connection toan ambient source, such as concentrate to be served at ambienttemperatures, a diluent required at ambient temperatures, or a fullstrength product to be served at ambient temperatures. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that multiple ambient product lines maybe disposed within the ambient box 169, and be connected to independentambient sources. One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognizethat the size of the ambient cutout 168 is not limited to an ambient box169 having a single ambient product line 207, as the ambient box 169 maybe adjusted to accommodate a multitude of ambient product lines 207, andthe ambient cutout 168 may be adjusted to complement the ambient box169. Illustratively, the ambient box 169 may include product lines 207disposed in different arrays, or disposed in different banks. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the outlets 172, 174 and211 must be at least partially complementary to the inlets 131 of thetower units. Accordingly, ambient products or ambient diluents passingthrough the ambient box 169 may be delivered to virtually any tower unit121-123 disposed atop the top plate 112.

The product dispenser 100 may further include a controller 133. Thecontroller 133 may be any form of processing device suitable forcontrolling and processing signals, including microcontrollers,processors, and the like.

The product dispenser 100 may further include lifting tangs 135 forattaching connection points of a lifting device. The lifting tangs 135are disposed on opposite sides of the product dispenser 100 to providebalanced lifting. In this embodiment, the lifting tangs 135 are formedfrom a structural sheet metal, such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG.2 h, the lifting tangs 135 include a securing flange 214 and a liftingflange 213. The lifting flange 213 includes at least one lifting port216, and the securing flange 214 includes securing apertures 217 foraccepting fasteners. The securing apertures 217 are disposed at aspacing complementary to restraint apertures 219 disposed in the topplate 112.

On assembly, the redirector 115 is secured to the bin 111 over a portionof the inlet 118 disposed nearest the rear of the cold plate 107, suchthat the inlet 118 is open nearest the front of the bin 111. In thisparticular example, the redirector 115 is spot welded to the bin 111.While this redirector 115 has been shown as being spot-welded to the bin111, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that virtually anyform of securing is possible. Next, the lower port 117 of the bin 111 issecured to the cold plate 107, such that the inlet 118 is disposednearest the front of the bin 111. In this preferred embodiment, the bin111 is secured to the cold plate 107 utilizing fasteners passing throughthe apertures in the flanges.

Once the bin 111 has been secured to the cold plate 107, the top plate112 is secured to the inlet 118 of the bin 111, such that the chamberport 116 is in alignment with the uncovered portion of the inlet 118. Inthis particular example the top plate 112 is screwed to the bin 111.While the top plate 112 has been shown with fasteners, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that other forms of securing arepossible, including welding, rivets, and the like. The outlets 172, 174,180, and 242 pass through the product line aperture 143 when the topplate 112 is in the installed position.

The partially assembled unit may then be placed in the foaming jig toform the insulation around the partially assembled unit. Upon curing,the foamed, partially assembled unit is placed into the wrapper 114, andsecured to the wrapper 114 utilizing any suitable means. Accordingly,the insulation fills any voids between the bin 111 and the wrapper 114,thereby providing insulatory properties to the contents of the bin 111.

The lid 120 may then be aligned with the lid housing 119, such that theflange 162 faces toward the lid housing 119, and is disposed within thecavity 145. The lid housing 119, including the valve cutout switch 134,may then be secured with fasteners to the restraint apertures 127 of thetop plate 112, thereby captivating the flange 162 within the cavity 145of the lid housing 119.

Alternatively, a product dispenser 100 utilizing a rotating lid 136 mayinclude the steps of securing the rotating lid 136 to a hinge pin 138,securing one hinge bracket 137 to the top plate 112, inserting one endof the hinge pin 138 into the aperture of the installed hinge bracket137, inserting the free end of the hinge pin 138 into the aperture ofthe uninstalled hinge bracket 137, and securing the uninstalled hingebracket 137 to the top plate 112. In this fashion, the rotating lid 136is secured in place, and is free to rotate about the hinge pin 138.

The assembly continues with the insertion of the ambient box 169 intothe gap 178, the product line aperture 143, and the ambient cutout 168of the lower unit 110. The end including the inlets 210 is insertedthrough the gap 178 disposed between the outlets leading to the firstand second tower units 121-122. Illustratively, the gap 178 is alignedwith the ambient cutout 168. As such, the ambient box 16 moves downwarduntil the securing flanges 170 bottom out on the top plate 112. In thisfashion, the outlets 211 of the ambient box 169 are in alignment withthe outlets 172, 174, 180, and 242 of the lower unit 110, therebycompleting the first bank 176.

In a multiple bank arrangement, the installation of the ambient box 169is substantially identical, and the ambient box 169 could complete thesecond bank 176, the first and second banks 176-177, or could encompassa full bank.

The tower unit 121 is then installed onto the assembled lower unit 110by mating the outlets of the product and diluent circuits 201, 202, and103 of the lower unit 110 to the inlets 131 and 164 of the first towerunit 121. The mounting flange 221 must face towards a front of theproduct dispenser 100, and the apertures 223 must align with theapertures 224 disposed within the top plate 112. The mounting flange 221is secured to the top plate 112 with fasteners. Similarly, the apertures223 of the second mounting flange 222 are aligned with the restraintapertures 224 of the top plate 112, and second mounting flange 222 isrestrained.

The second tower unit 122 is then installed in similar fashion to thefirst tower unit 121, wherein the inlets 261 and 263 of the tower unit122 are mated with the outlets 180 and 242 of the lower unit 110. Theapertures 223 of the first and second mounting flanges 221-222 of thesecond tower unit 122 are also aligned with apertures 224 disposed inthe top plate 112, and the second tower unit 122 is secured to the topplate 112.

In this particular example, the third tower unit 123 is installedbetween the first and second tower units 121-122, and therefore does nothave a second mounting flange. The third tower unit 123 is inserted insimilar fashion to the first and second tower units 121-122, whereby theoutlets 211 of the product lines disposed within the ambient box 169mate with the inlets 252 and 254 of the third tower units 123 to extendthe ambient product circuits to the outlets 253 and 255 of the thirdtower unit 123. Accordingly, ambient products passing through theambient box 169 are delivered to the product circuits of the third towerunit 123. The apertures 223 disposed in the mounting flange 221 arealigned with the securing apertures 224 disposed within the top plate112, and the third tower unit 123 is restrained with fasteners.

The tower units 121-123 may also include a securing tab 233 or asecuring aperture 234 for interconnection. Illustratively, in thisparticular example, the first tower unit 121 and the second tower unit122 each include at least one securing tab 233 including an aperture,and the third tower unit 123 includes at least one securing aperture 234for each adjacent tower unit. The securing apertures 234 are disposed ina location complementary to the apertures of the securing tabs 233 whenthe tower units are adjacent to each other, whereby a fastener passesthrough the aperture of the securing tab 233 and secures to the securingaperture 234.

After the securing of the mounting flange 221 of the third tower unit123 and interconnecting the tower units 121-123 together, the backsupport bracket 124 may be installed about the tower units 121-123 byorienting the planar portion 227 adjacent to the rear faces of the towerunits 121-123, aligning the legs 228 adjacent to the side walls of thetower units 121-123, and orienting the flanges 229 at a lowest position.Once properly aligned, the apertures 230 will be in alignment with theapertures 223 of the second mounting flanges 222, and the planar portion227 rests on the rear flanges 225 of the tower units 121-123. The backsupport bracket 124 is secured to the second mounting flanges 222 andthe top plate 112 through the apertures 230. Once properly secured, theback support bracket 124 restrains the rear flanges 225, and the secondmounting flanges 222. Upon proper alignment of the tower units 121-123,the faucet plate and the dispense points 105 may be mounted to theinstalled tower units 121-123, thereby extending the product and diluentcircuits to the dispense points 105.

The assembly continues with the installation of the tower structure 125.The first and second vertical supports 147-148 are then aligned, suchthat the apertures 189 in the first flange 185 align with securingapertures 237 disposed within the top plate 112. In this particularexample, the first and second vertical supports 147-148 are disposedsuch that flanges 185-188 extend toward each other, and the crossbar 149is then secured to the first and second vertical supports 147-148,thereby providing a rigid secure structure. Next, the outer skin 150 isplaced over the vertical supports 147-148, such that the mounting flange182 is disposed over the fourth mounting flange 188 of the firstvertical support 147, and the mounting flange 183 overlays the fourthmounting flanges 188 of the second vertical support 148. The apertures184 of the mounting flanges 182-183 must align with the apertures 190 ofthe fourth flanges 188. Once aligned fasteners are inserted to restrainthe outer skin 150 to the first and second vertical supports 147-148.

The cap 151 is then installed onto the vertical supports 147-148, suchthat the flanges 196-199 extend downward and the apertures 194 alignwith the apertures 191 of the vertical supports 147-148. Once aligned,fasteners are inserted to secure the outer skin 150 and the cap 151 tothe vertical supports 147-148. The drip tray and splash plate may thenbe installed. In this manner, the outer structure 125 provides a clean,closed out tower, wherein the restraint of the tower structure 125 isindependent of the restraint of the tower units 121-123.

In use, the product dispenser 100 delivers chilled concentrate anddiluent from the product circuits that pass through the cold plate 107or ambient fluids that pass through the ambient box 169. Productconcentrate originates at a product concentrate source, enters at leastone concentrate line 142, moves through the concentrate line 142 as itpasses through the cold plate 107, exits the cold plate 107 and moves upto the outlet 174. The concentrate then enters the inlet 131 of theproduct line 130 disposed within the first tower unit 121, moves throughthe first tower unit 121, and exits the outlet 132. The concentrate thenenters the inlet 106 of the dispense point 105, and exits the dispensepoint 105 upon a dispense command.

A diluent from a diluent source enters the diluent inlet 171 of thediluent line 141, moves through the diluent line 141 as it passesthrough the cold plate 107, exits the cold plate 107, and extends upwardto the outlet 172. As the diluent line 141 passes through the productline aperture 143, the outlet 172 is positioned above the top plate 112.The diluent then enters the inlet 164 of the diluent line 163, and movesthrough the first tower unit 121 to the outlet 165. As the diluent inlet104 is in fluid communication with the outlet 165, the diluent entersthe dispense point 105 and is ready for dispensing operations.

An ambient product circuit 109 originates at an ambient product source.An ambient product enters the product dispenser 100 through the inlet210 of the ambient product line 207 disposed in the ambient box 169,moves through the ambient product line 207 to the outlet 211, and entersthe inlet 252 of the third tower unit 123. Once in the third tower unit123, the ambient product moves through the first ambient product line250 to the ambient outlet 253. The ambient product then enters one ofthe inlets 106 or 104 for the dispense point 105 for delivery alone,with a diluent, or mixed with a concentrate. One of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ambient product may be a concentrate, adiluent, or a single strength fluid. As such, many combinations areavailable, and are considered within the scope of this invention.

Upon a dispense command, the diluent, concentrate, ambient product, orcombinations thereof, is delivered from the dispense point 105.Accordingly, a user may place a drink receptacle below a particularflavor dispense point 105, activate a dispense button, dispense aparticular flavor drink, and retrieve the receptacle for consumption.

The tower structure 125, or portions thereof, may be removed fromproduct dispenser 100 without removing the tower units 121-123.Illustratively, the cap 151 and the outer skin 150 may be removed forsignage purposes, cleaning, or replacement. The ability to remove theouter skin 150 and the cap 151 without breaking the product and diluentcircuits 201, 202, 103, and 109, is a great advantage to operators, asproduct sales are not affected.

In use, the tower units 121-123 are secured to the top plate 112 withfasteners passing through the mounting flanges 221 and 222, the backsupport bracket 124, and the interconnection between adjacent towerunits. The mounting flanges 221-222 are secured to the top plate 112.The back support bracket 124 holds the rear portions of the tower units121-123 and the second mounting flanges 222 down, thereby providing anevenly distributed restraint system. The interconnection fastenerspassing through the securing tabs 233 allow the tower units 121-123 tobe aligned and secured in place. The tower units 121-123 are in fluidcommunication with the product circuits 201, 202, and 109, of the lowerunit 110 and the ambient box 169, and accordingly, the product circuits201, 202, 103, and 109, are extended or shortened when a tower unit isremoved. The tower units 121-123 may be removed independently forservice, replacement, or the like, by removing the fasteners holding theback support bracket 124, the fasteners disposed in the mounting flanges221-222, and the interconnection fasteners. Alternatively, the productdispenser 100 may be outfitted with only two tower units, whereby one ofthe tower units delivers ambient products. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the design of the tower units 121-123 iscomplementary to even a single tower unit.

The ambient box 169 may be removed or replaced with an ambient boxhaving an alternate number of ambient product lines as long as the thirdtower unit 123 includes a complementary number of ambient product lines.Alternatively, the ambient box 169 may be configured after theinstallation of the product dispenser 100, whereby the ambient productcircuits 109 may be upgraded or reconfigured with seasonal products.Accordingly, the ambient box 169 provides the ability to add ambientproduct circuits to the product dispenser 100. One of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ambient box 169 may also be utilizedwith pre-chilled products, thereby providing another alternative use.

The lid 120 moves from a bin-closed position to a bin-open position bysliding into the cavity 143 of the lid housing 119, and from thebin-open position to the bin-closed position by moving the lid 120 outof the cavity 143 until the flange 162 engages the valve cutout switch134. In the bin-closed position, the bin 111 is not accessible by anoperator. In the bin-open position, the operator may access the contentsof the bin 111. When the lid 120 is disposed in the bin-closed position,the flange 162 engages the valve cutout switch 134, the controller 133recognizes that the lid 120 is in the bin-closed position, and activatesthe dispensing valves 105 when a dispense command is initiated by theoperator. When the lid 120 is in the bin-open position, the flange 162does not engage the valve cutout switch 134, and the controller 133deactivates the product valves 105. Accordingly, operators may onlydispense product when the lid 120 is in the bin-closed position.

The sliding lid 120 and the rotating lid 136 are interchangeableprovided all accompanying hardware is changed out. Accordingly, therotating lid 136 may be replaced with the sliding lid 120 by removingthe fasteners securing the hinge brackets 137 to the top plate 112. Uponremoval of the fasteners, the lid 120 and lid housing 119, includingvalve cutout switch 134, may be secured to the top plate 112 utilizingfasteners passing through restraint apertures 127. The valve cutoutswitch 134 may further require a wiring harness connection, therebyplacing the valve cutout switch 134 in electrical communication with thecontroller 133.

The redirector 115 closes out a rear portion of the inlet 118 to preventice and water from exiting the bin 111 through the rear portion of theinlet 118. The redirector 115 is advantageous when operators scoop icedisposed within the bin 111 towards the rear of the product dispenser100, in their attempts to fill drink receptacles. The elimination of iceand water leaving the bin 111 through the rear portion of the inlet 118eliminates ice and partially melted ice moving down the back side of theproduct dispenser 100 and onto the floor, as well as any water puddlesassociated therewith.

The lifting tangs 135 are secured to the top plate 112 with fastenersadequate to support a lifted weight of the product dispenser 100. Inuse, an operator connects a lifting harness to a lifting device. Liftingpoints of the lifting harness are then connected to the lifting port 216of each lifting flange 213. The lifting device then provides an upwardforce, thereby lifting the product dispenser 100. If adequatelyoutfitted, the lifting device may be directed to the installation orremoval point. Once properly positioned, the product dispenser 100 maybe lowered, and set in place. The lifting harness may then be removedfrom the lifting tangs 135.

While this invention has been shown with a product dispenser including atower formed from at least one tower unit 121, 122, or 123 and a towerstructure 125, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that manyforms of towers exist. In this invention, the term “tower” is defined asany form of product dispenser portion that protrudes from a supportingsurface, such as a counter top, a table top, a dispenser housing, andthe like. Accordingly, a “tower” may be formed from multiple components,multiple tower segments, or a single structure. One of ordinary skill inthe art will further recognize, in this particular example, the towerstructure 125 and at least one tower unit 121, 122, or 123 may besecured together to provide an integral tower.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of theforegoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplarypurposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degreeswill fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope,accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoingdetailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims thatfollow.

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A product dispenser, comprising: a housingincluding a lower unit; at least one tower unit disposed on the lowerunit, wherein the at least one tower unit houses a dispense point; atleast one product circuit disposed within the housing, wherein a drinkmay be dispensed from the dispense point; and a tower structuresurrounding the at least one tower unit, and securable to the lowerunit, wherein the tower structure is adapted for removal from the lowerunit without disabling the product circuit.
 35. The product circuitaccording to claim 34, wherein the lower unit houses a lower productcircuit.
 36. The product circuit according to claim 35, wherein the atleast one tower unit includes an upper product circuit, and furtherwherein the upper product circuit is adaptable to the lower productcircuit upon installation of the tower structure, thereby forming the atleast one product circuit.
 37. The product circuit according to claim34, wherein the tower structure comprises: at least one verticalstructure; a crossbar; an outer skin; and a cap, wherein the at leastone vertical structure is securable to the lower unit and the cross barprovides lateral support, and further wherein the outer skin and the capclose out the sides and rear of the at least one tower unit.
 38. Theproduct dispenser according to claim 38, further comprising: a splashplate closing out a front of the at least one tower unit, therebyclosing out the at least one tower unit.
 39. The product dispenseraccording to claim 34, wherein the tower structure is utilized formerchandising by placing advertising materials onto the tower structure.40. The product dispenser according to claim 34, wherein the towerstructure secures to the at least one tower unit, thereby providing anintegral tower. 41-43. (canceled)